Our county and its people; a descriptive work on Oneida county, New York;, Part 80

Author: Wager, Daniel Elbridge, 1823-1896
Publication date: 1896
Publisher: [Boston] : The Boston history co.
Number of Pages: 1612

USA > New York > Oneida County > Our county and its people; a descriptive work on Oneida county, New York; > Part 80

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Captain Abeel was an excellent soldier, an accomplished musician, and a man of extensive reading. His dignified military bcaring and habits of precision made him a conspicuous figure wherever he went. His profession was that of arms, yet he possessed a natural love for agricultural pursuits. He was a typical gentleman of the old school. He was endowed with great natural wit and humor, a lively artistic and literary conception, and all the tastes of a warlike imagination. In common with nearly all men trained solely to army life he was ignorant of the complications of practical business affairs. He was quite popular, although noted for his pro- nounced personality, and throughout Central New York enjoyed a wide acquaint- ance and the respect of all. In person he was very particular, even fastidious, and in deportment he was as punctual as the clock.

November 16, 1826, Captain Abeel was married in New York city to Miss Mary Powell Seymour, daughter of William and Elizabeth (Powell) Seymour, of New- burg, N. Y., and niece of Jacob and Thomas Powell. merchants, of that place. She died December 28. 1888, aged eighty-threc. They had seven children: John Neil- son and William Seymour, deceased: Isabella, of Rome; Thomas Powell and Al- fred, of Waco, Texas; Augusta, wife of Lieut .- Col. F. H. Parker, ordnance depart- ment U. S. A. ; and James M., deceased.

THOMAS G. NOCK.

THOMAS GILL Nock was born at Bricrly Hill, near Dudley, Staffordshire, England, February 14, 1829, his birthplace being his maternal grandfather's home. A few weeks later he was baptized in the parish church by his mother's rector, and received the name of his mother's father, Thomas Gill, who was a robust, fine appearing man, active, generous hearted, untiring in his work, and a firm believer in God. When fifty years of age Mr. Nock was the counterpart of Mr. Gill-having the same per- fectly shaped head, the high forehead, the intelligent face, the business foresight,

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the untiring energy, the unselfish generosity. When three years old the child left Brierly Hill with his parents and came to America. In his eighth year he returned to England with hisfather on a visit to his birthplace, and this event proved a memorable one in his life, making a lasting impression upon his then youthful mind. When he returned to his home at Ramapo, N. Y., he was sent to a private school for two years, after which a tutor was brought to the house for him. This teacher was James Stewart, a graduate of Edinburgh University, and he was continued in this capacity for several years. When fifteen young Nock went to New York city for special in - struetion for one term in a private school. Returning to Ramapohe entered the office of a cotton mill, where he remained some months. His life in Ramapo wasreally one of studying the manufacture of steel, but he was often in the woods, on the "Tuxe- do," and along the mountam streams with rod and gun. He loved nature, and more than once climbed the noted "Torn," but he was learning the secret of the earth's metals. Ilis father, George Nock a man of great ability, of strong will and charac- ter, and skilled in metallurgy, helped him to a practical knowledge of iron and steel. The father was true and sincere in his religious life, and taught his children and all men his faith and practice by example. The son learned much from this teaching, and slow- ly but finally strengthened that character and personality which in the man were so marked. There was that in his make-up which happily mingled the characteristics of his maternal and paternal ancestry. Joseph Nock, his paternal grandfather, was a country squire, an active, positive, and determined man in whatever he attempted The family coat of arms suggests the character of the descendants. On the shield is a bend between three annulets, or, on a field of azure. The erest is a dexter hand brandishing a scimetar. The motto is "In tenebris servare fidem."

Mr. Nock removed in early life from Ramapo to Windsor Locks, Conn., where he married Miss Caroline M., only daughter of Royal Prouty, who survives him. There he was the assistant superintendent, bookkeeper and pay master of the E. G. Ripley & Co. iron and steel works, which position he held until he removed to Syracuse, N. Y., assuperintendent of a large iron rolling mill, sinec converted into the present Syra- cuse Tube Works. In 1864 he came to Rome, Oneida county, to supervise the erection of the Rome iron mill, and continued as its general superintendent until the building of the New York Locomotive works in this city in 1882, when he was elected presi- dent of that corporation, a position he held until his death on April 20, 1890. The ground for the locomotive works was broken September 12. 1881. and the company was formed in May, 1882. Mr. Nock was largely instrumental in starting that con- cern, which carried on under his supervision and management a successful business in the manufacture of railroad locomotives and engines. He was a man of great executive ability, of sound judgment and foresight, and of wonderful force of char- acter.

He was for many years prior to his death the president of the First National Bank, a director in the Central Bank, and in fact a stockholder in all the banks in Rome. As a financier his ability and integrity were widely recognized. He contributed materially to the prosperity and general welfare of the city, and sustained and en- couraged every beneficent enterprise. Ile was public spirited and generous to a fault, and bore the confidence of the entire community. A Republican in politics he took a lively interest in the welfare of his party and never failed to work for its ad-

C. D. PRESCOTT.

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BIOGRAPHICAL.

vancement He was the first fire commissioner appointed in Rome and served con- tinually as the president of the board from its organization until his death. He gen- erously supported the cause of religion and education, and in all matters of a public nature was ever foremost and active. He was very kind hearted, benevolent to the poor and needy, and never missed an opportunity of aiding the unfortunate.

Mr. Nock was survived by three brothers: Revs. Edwin Gaines and Joseph A. Nock, Episcopal clergymen in Philadelphia and Jersey City respectively, and George F. Nock, a commission merchant of New York. He is also survived by four sisters. Of his five children three are living. namely: Dr. Thomas G., jr., a practicing physician, one of the coroners of Oneida county for several years, and one of the fire commissioners of Rome; George P., of New York city; and Mrs. Claude C. Coan, of Clinton, Iowa. His widow resides in Rome.

CYRUS DAN PRESCOTT.

Tux first American ancestor of the Prescott family of which the subject of this sketch is a lineal descendant, was John, a grandson of Sir James Prescott and his wife, daughter of Roger Standish, lord and lady of the manor of Dryby in Lincoln- shire, England. John Prescott, (1) settled in Boston, Mass., in 1640 and the line of his posterity is as follows: (2) Jonas, (3) Jonas, (4) Ebenezer, (5) Oliver, (6) Oliver, (7) Jeremialı, (8) Cyrus D). Oliver (5) was born May 5, 1725, married Bethiah Under- wood, served in the war of the Revolution, and died January 1, 1803 Oliver (6) was born in Westford, Mass., February 22, 1760, married Keziah Howard, and moved to Jeffrey, N. H., and thence in 1793 to New Hartford, Oneida county, where he pur- chased 500 acres of unbroken forest land. He was a life long farmer, and died in that town in December, 1843. Jeremiah Prescott (7 )was born in New Hartford on Au- gust 4, 1806, was first a farmer and subsequently a tin and iron manufacturer, and afterwards admitted to practice as attorney and counselor at law in 1864, and died there May 12, 1872. He was a justice of the peace about thirty years, at one time under sheriff of the county, and held several other local offices. His wife, Deb- orah Linnemann, was born near Amsterdam, N. Y, December 15, 1805, and died May 5, 1874. Her father, Johan Linnemann, was born in Viele, Denmark, February 16, 1759, was brought to America in 1768, and settled near Amsterdam, where he died. He served in the Revolutionary war, and married for his wife Catherine Six- berry, who died in Ohio, December 19, 1863, aged 101 years, six months and thirteen days.

Hon. Cyrus D. Prescott, son of Jeremiah, was born in New Hartford, on the 15th of August, 1836, and finished his literary education at the Utica Free Academy. He then spent about one year each in the law offices of O. G. Kellogg and Hurd & Brown, in Utica, and at the end of that period entered the county clerk's office, where he re- mained a little more than two years as search clerk. In 1858 he came to Rome and resumed his legal studies in the office of Johnson & Boardman, which firm soon became Foster, Johnson, Boardman & Lynch. Mr. Prescott was admitted to the bar at the Syracuse General term in the summer of 1859, and began the practice of his profess-

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ion in the spring of 1860 in Rome under the firm name of Greene & Prescott, which continued until January 1, 1865. After spending the years 1865 and 1866 in travel- ing through the South and West he went to New York in January, 1867, as financial clerk for a wholesale establishment. In the spring of 1868 he returned to Rome and in June formed a co-partnership with D. Minor K. Johnson, formerly of the firm of Foster, Johnson, Boardman & Lynch, under the style of Johnson & Prescott. This firm continued a large law practice until Mr. Johnson's death in July, 1886. Mr. Prescott remained alone till August 1, 1895, when the present copartnership of Pres- cott & Titus was formed by the admission of Charles T. Titus.

Mr. Prescott has been a staunch Republican since the organization of that party. He has always taken an active interest in political affairs, and has frequently been called to positions of trust and responsibility. He was adjutant of the 101st Regt. N. Y. State Militia for a time, was alderman from the Fifth ward of Rome one term, member and secretary of the Board of Education three years, and in 1878 repre- sented this district in the assembly, where he was chairman of the committee on railroads. In the fall of 1878 and again in 1850 he was elected to Congress by hand- some majorities, which attested his popularity throughout this congressional district. In the 46th Congress, during his second term, he was chairman of the celebrated committee on apportionment and brought in the bill for reapportioning the member- ship of the various States. This was the leading feature of that session, and the part Mr. Prescott bore in the long and bitter fight which ensued redounds to his lasting credit. So far as New York State was concerned his bill was passed without material change. He drew up and secured the passage in the 45th Congress of a bill authorizing the appropriation of $5,000 for the construction of the Oriskany monument in honor of General Herkimer. Among the various important com- nittees of which he was a member was the committee on the improvement of the Mississippi River, and in this connection he was one of five commissioners appointed by Congress to inspect and report upon the condition of the levees along that stream below St. Louis. In both Congresses he had charge of several measures affecting his county, all of which became laws. His legislative career, both as assemblyman and as representative, was characterized by untiring faithfulness to public trust and by continued watchfulness over the interests of his constituents. As a citizen he has always encouraged every project which promised benefit to the community.

June 21, 1867, Mr. Prescott was married to Miss Eliza F. Cady, a native of Madi- son county, and a daughter of Daniel Cady, of Yonkers, N. Y., but formerly of Rome. They have four children: G. Linnemann, a graduate of the Rome Academy and now a resident of Rome; Elizabeth C. (Mrs. Clifton B. White), of Brooklyn, N. Y. ; and Mabelle T. and Ruth Andrea, at home.

W. J. P. KINGSLEY, M. D.

WILLLY J. P. KINGSLEY, M. D., mayor of the city of Rome, N. Y., a son of Obediah and Lovina ('Tucker) Kingsley, and was born on a farm in Frankfort, Herkimer county, four miles east of Utica, on July 9, 1824. His grandfather, Jedediah Kings-

W. J. P. KINGSLEY, M. D.

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BIOGRAPHICAL.

ley, came from Rhode Island to Utica when that city contained but one frame build- ing ; he soon moved to Herkimer county and died there.

Dr. Kingsley obtained his education by his own efforts. Reared on a farm amid the deprivations of the pioneer life of those early days his advantages at district schools were necessarily limited, but by continued exertion he was enabled to attend Whitestown Seminary, from which he was graduated. He read medicine with Drs. Charles B. Coventry and D. G. Thomas, of Utica, and took a two years' course at the Geneva Medical College. In March, 1855, he was graduated with the degree of M. D. from the New York Medical College and the same year began the practice of his profession in Utica. In the spring of 1856 he came to Rome, where he has ever since resided. For many years he was engaged in a large general surgical practice, having at one time a more extensive professional business than any other physician in the city. Finally cancer cases presented themselves in such constantly increasing numbers that he was obliged to devote most of his time to their treatment, and eventually abandoned his family practice altogether. He now confines his attention exclusively to the treatment of cancer, chronic diseases, and to surgery, having spe- cially equipped hospitals for the purpose. He has treated over 40.000 cancer cases, and enjoys almost a world wide reputation for skill and success.

Dr. Kingsley has been president of the Farmers' National Bank since its organiza- tion, and was president of its predecessor, the Bank of Rome, which was incorporated as a State bank in 1865 lle was one of the incorporators of the Central New York Institution for Deaf Mutes in Rome in 1875 and served as its vice-president until 1895, when he was elected president. He was president of the old Rome Iron Works and is now vice-president of the Rome Brass and Copper Company, the Rome Cem- etery Association, and the Jervis Literary Association. He was one of the directors of the locomotive works, and is heavily interested in many other business enterprises. He is the largest individual tax payer in the city. In charitable and benevolent move- ments he is always a prominent factor, and no project promising benefit to the com- munity fails to receive his substantial aid and encouragement. Public spirited, en- terprising, liberal, and kind hearted, he is widely respected as a citizen as well as a successful physician. The Y. M. C. A., the City Hospital, and numerous other similar objects, as well as nearly every important commercial or manufacturing enterprise, have felt the impulse of his aid and benevolence. In politics he has always been a staunch Republican, but has never sought office or public preferment. At the charter election in March, 1895, he was elected mayor of the city of Rome, though a Democratic stronghold, by a handsome majority, and his service in that capacity has been characterized by fidelity, impartiality, and general satisfaction.

December 4, 1860, Dr. Kingsley was married to Miss Georgeanna M. Vogel, daughter of Henry C. Vogel, D.D., for many years pastor of the Baptist church at Rome. They have had three sons: Burt A., who died aged two years, three months, and thirteen days; George L., who was graduated from Yale College in 1886 and from Harvard Medical College in 1890, appointed house surgeon to the Massachusetts General Hospital, and died there September 25. 1890; and Willey L., also a graduate of Yale College, class of 1886, and of Harvard Medical College in 1890, who, after receiving his diploma as M.D., formed a partnership with his father under the style of W J. P. Kingsley & Son, which still continues. In 1891 Dr. and Mrs. Kingley

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erected in the Rome Cemetery a handsome memorial chapel, and in the same year equipped the new gymnasium of Yale University at New Haven, Conu., both in memory of their deceased son, Dr. George L.

GORDON N. BISSELL

GORDON NEEDHAM BISSELL was born in Onondaga county, N. Y., September 17 1806, and spent his early life at Onondaga Ilollow near Syracuse, where his father, Dr. John Devotion Bissell, was a pioneer physician. The family is of French Ilu- guenot descent, and immediately after the massacre of St. Bartholomew in 1572 many of the name fled to England to escape persecution. Their coat of arms, which was of a religious rather than of a warlike character, is thus described in Burke's "Com- plete Armory:" "Bissell, Gu. on a bend, or .; three escallops, sa. Crest, a demi- eagle with wings displayed, sa .: charged on neck with an escallop shell, or." The first and only one of the name known to have come to America was John Bissell, who, tradition asserts, arrived with his family at Plymouth. Mass., from Somerset- shire, England, in 1628. In 1639 he was one of a prospecting party authorized to select a site for a colony in what is now Connecticut and the next year he became one of the founders of Windsor, where he received the monopoly of the Scantic Ferry. He was the first settler on the east side of the Connecticut river and died in 1677, aged eighty-six, leaving children whose posterity are numerous, energetic, and re- spected unto the present day. The ancestry of Gordon N. Bissell is as follows: (1) John, the pioneer; (2) John, jr., died 1693; (3) Daniel, born 1663, died 1738; (4) Ezek- iel, born 1705, died in Torringford, Conn. ; (5) Ebenezer, born 1743, married Lucy Roberts; (6) Dr. John D., who in old age moved to Chicago, INI., and died in Sep- tember, 1856; and (7) Gordon N. Dr. Bissell married Elizabeth Forman, of (non- daga Valley, whose brother, Judge Joshua Forman, was an early influential citizen of Onondaga county, and the maternal grandfather of Gov. Horatio Seymour.

Gordon N. Bissell was educated at the Onondaga Academy and spent several years of his early manhood with Judge Forman in North Corolina. In 1837 he came to Rome, Oneida county, and commenced the construction of the Black River canal as a contractor, and two years later removed to North Western, where he also opened a general store. In the fall of 18-12 work was suspended on the canal and in Feb- ruary, 1843, Mr. Bissell, after disposing of his mercantile business, returned to Rome, where he purchased the drug store of Dr. H. H. Pope. The following summer he formed a partnership with Benjamin N. Leonard, under the style of Bissell & Leon- ard, and consolidated the drug business of Chesebro & Leonard with his own. In 1844 the firm moved to what is now 117 West Dominick street, where the establish- ment has ever since been located, and known as the checkered store. After Mr. Leonard's death in June, 1853, Mr. Bissell continued alone until his oldest son, Charles F., attained his majority, when the firm became G. N. Bissell & Son. In April, 1862, Charles F. withdrew and another son, John G., was admitted. In 1883 Mr. Bissell retired and the business was continued by John G. Bissell and James A Owens, as J. G. Bissell & Co., until July 1, 1895, when Mr. Owens withdrew, leaving the proprietorship in the hands of John G. Bissell, the present owner.

GORDON N. BISSELL.

JAMES H. SEARLES.

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BIOGRAPHICAL.

Mr. Bissell was for many years actively identified with the banking interests of Rome. He was a director and for some time the vice-president of the old Bank of Rome and one of the organizers of the Rome Exchange Bank (now the First National), of which he was several years the president. He was for many years president of the Rome Savings Bank and of the Rome Gas Light Company, holding both posi- tions at the time of his death, which occurred February 19, 1891. He was one of the chief promoters and organizers of the Rome Iron Works (now the Rome Brass and Copper Company) and also of the Rome Cemetery Association, of which he was long a trustee.

In all public improvements and enterprises he took a great interest, and worked for the prosperity and advancement of the city. He was an advocate of plank roads in early days, and later of railroads, manufacturing industries and all that promoted the welfare of the town. He was one of the best known and most respected citizens of Rome ; a man of rare personal worth, and held in high esteem. His name was the synonym for integrity, honesty, and fair dealing; his religion he took with him into all his business relations. He was noted for his earnestness, his honesty of purpose, his perfect candor, and his fairness; he would allow no imposi- tion upon any person with whom he did business or came into contact. He repre- sented all things exactly as they were, and rather than allow his customer to suffer he would himself take the consequences.

Mr. Bissell was a Democrat in politics, but never wanted office, although he was frequently urged to accept nominations. His only public position was that of village trustee. He was one of the oldest members of Zion Episcopal church, and for thirty years was vestryman or warden. When he wished to retire on account of advancing years, a short time before his death, his colleagues, in recognition of his judgment and experience, made him warden emeritus.

February 3, 1829, Mr. Bissell married Miss Luthera Ward, daughter of William Ward, a pioneer of Manlius, Onondaga county. She was born February 3, 1808, and died September 20, 1856, leaving six children who attained majority, viz. : Mary L., Margaret A., John G., and Laura (Mrs. Frank B. Haff), of Rome; Charles F., of Austin, Texas; and William W., of New Rochelle, N. Y.

JAMES H. SEARLES.

THE subject of this sketch was born in Belleville, Jefferson county, N. Y., August 6, 1832. He was the son of Martha Gott Ransom and James H. Searles, who was a leading merchant in the town of Ellisburgh many years. Mr. Searles came to Rome January 1, 1867, since which time he has been in the banking, real estate and insur- ance business. A zealous, broad natured citizen, always in sympathy with any good and able enterprise that might be for public advancement.

He was twice married. First, to Frances Barrilla, daughter of Ebenezer and Mol- lie Stark Webster, June 19, 1859. Three children were born by that union-James Webster Searles, of Salt Lake City, Utah, Katherine Mary, wife of Dr. Jay Hatha- way Utley, of Los Angeles, California, and Jenny Frances, born April 29, 1860, at

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Kalamazoo, Mich., died October 12, 1880. Second to Eloise Catherine, daughter of John Milton and Mary Abbott Rumney, April 18, 1872. Four children were born to them: John Rumney Searles, Charles Noble Searles, Elizabeth Porter Searles, and Martha Eloise Searles, born February 4, 1879, at Rome, died February 23, 1880. Eloise C. Searles is a grand niece of Newton Mann, whose portrait appears in this work.

CHARLES W. DARLING.

GEN. CHARLES W. DARLING was born in New Haven, Conn., October 11, 1830. His family is of New England origin, having intermarried with the families of Pier- pont, Noyes, Chauncey, Ely, Davis, and Dana. His great-grandfather, a graduate of Vale, was Hon. Thomas Darling, an eminent jurist of New Haven, Conn., who married Abigail Noyes, granddaughter of Rev. James Pierpont, of New Haven, one of the founders of Yale College. The paternal grandfather of Gen. Charles W. was Dr. Samuel Darling, of the same city, a graduate of Yale who married Clarinda, daughter of Rev. Richard Ely, of Saybrook, Conn. His youngest son, the father of General Darling, was Rev. Charles Chauncey Darling, who was graduated from Yale College and Princeton Theological Seminary, and having entered the ministry subsequently made his residence in New York. He married Adeline E., daughter of William Dana, of Boston, and granddaughter of Major Robert Davis, an officer of artillery in the Revolution.

The boyhood of General Darling was devoted largely to study, under the guidance of a private tutor. After matriculating at the classical and mathematical department of the New York University, he passed through its regular curriculum, and subse- quently received the honorary degree of A. M. from Hamilton College. He entered as clerk a mercantile house in New York city, and several years later he be- came connected as secretary with an incorporated company under the presidency of Commodore C. K. Garrison. Shortly afterward, he resigned his position to accept the presidency of a manufacturing company, with which he was associated for several years. When he ceased his immediate relations with business, he made his first trip to Europe, to gratify those literary and artistic tastes which his active life had for- bidden. Returning from his Continental tour, when the question of the possible se- cession of the South from the Federal Union was receiving much public discussion, he connected himself with the National Guard of New York, and, when Hon. Edwin D. Morgan was elected governor, he was appointed a member of his staff with rank of colonel. He also identified himself with political matters, and was president of one of the Republican organizations of his district. By his decision of character he united many discordant elements in the party, subdued the passions of some, deep- ened the love of country in the hearts of others, and preserved order frequently under difficult circumstances. When in the summer of 1863 New York became the scene of riots, General Darling was called upon to perform difficult and dangerous duties, and his firm stand on that memorable occasion received the most cordial approbation of the military as well as the civil authorities.

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Our county and its people; a descriptive work on Oneida county, New York;, Part 80

Author: Wager, Daniel Elbridge, 1823-1896 Publication date: 1896 Publisher: [Boston] : The Boston history co. Number of Pages: 1612

Author: Wager, Daniel Elbridge, 1823-1896
Publication date: 1896
Publisher: [Boston] : The Boston history co.
Number of Pages: 1612